Planning or Controlling?

In our small group we were studying James chapter four. A few verses in this chapter talk about making plans. Scripture does not condemn making plans. Jesus actually endorsed when it came to counting the cost of following Jesus and making plans to make sure you were willing. In Proverbs 16:3 it says that we need to commit our plans to the Lord. So God does not condemn making plans. What he does condemn is boasting and bragging. Here's what I mean.

James 4:13 says that we will say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." God says this is boastful arrogance, because we think we are in control. The sin is not the planning. The sin is thinking that are lord of our lives. James instructs us on a great alternative.

"Instead, you ought to say, If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:15)

The point is who the lord of our lives is. If we are in control, and we are the lord of our lives, then we will make plans with no regard for the will of God. We will make plans that suit us, please us, and make us happy.

So when it comes to your life are you planning or are you controlling? When you make plans do you consider the will of God or are you simply planning your life as if you are in control? It may sound like splitting hairs but it makes all the difference in the world.